Analysis of NIF 2015 Funding for 25 Political Advocacy NGOs

August 01, 2016(updated on August 02, 2016)

Introduction

NGO Monitor has analyzed the 2015 financial reports of the New Israel Fund (NIF), detailing grants to a wide variety of Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Our analysis focuses on the 18% of NIF funding authorized to 25 advocacy NGOs that are also funded by European governments and active in political campaigns that involve, to different degrees, demonization of Israel, including BDS and lawfare.

NIF’s financial documents also show:

Expenses in 2015 were $31 million, approximately the same as in 2014. Total revenue was $33 million, an 11% increase from 2014 ($30 million).

Total authorized grants were approximately $13.8 million in 2015, a 5.8% decrease from 2014 ($14.7 million). (See Table 1.)

Table 1: Overview of NIF Finances 2013-2015

Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total Expenses*

32,228,849

31,057,804

30,976,640

30,785,908

Total Revenue*

28,400,189

29,773,903

33,062,783

28,139,397

Grants Authorized*

16,420,646

14,714,216

13,851,614

13,541,427

Grants Paid*

17,985,336

14,334,677

14,519,759

13,582,492

Donor Advised Grants**

14,276,642

10,370,982

10,763,898

*Data from NIF 2015 Financial Report
**Donor advised grants are a subset listed in the NIF website under “Grants of 2015,” in which individual donors designate the grantees, with the approval of the NIF.

Key Findings

The amounts listed in the annual financial statements comprise both “Core Grants” directly from the NIF and “Donor Advised” grants. An online report details the division between these two funding formats.

A number of NGOs involved in political activities related to the demonization of Israel continue to be funded by NIF, as documented by NGO Monitor.

In 2015, authorized grants to these 25 political advocacy NGOs amounted to $2.5 million, a 6.6% decrease from 2014. (See Table 2.) It is not clear if this represents a change in policy or reflects a pattern of multiyear grants.

Many of the advocacy NGOs receive more “donor advised” funds than NIF core grants, suggesting that these donors have a major role in setting the NIF agenda. (See Table 3.) This also suggests the need for a discussion of the relationship of these donors and their preferred grantees within the NIF network.

As of 2015, it appears from the data that NIF no longer funds Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement (SJSM) and Social TV.

In addition to NIF funding, the 25 listed NGOs receive substantial direct and indirect funding from European governments. (See Table 4.) Inasmuch as NIF funding “reflect[s] [] progressive values” and is geared toward strengthening the “progressive camp in Israel,” this funding suggests that European governments are attempting to achieve the same political and ideological objectives in the Israeli democratic context.

Related Articles

As in previous years, NGO Monitor has analyzed the 2014 financial reports of the New Israel Fund, detailing grants provided to a wide variety of Israeli NGOs active in political campaigns against Israel, including BDS, lawfare and demonization.